Bicycle lock

ABSTRACT

A two piece locking device for a bicycle or the like is constructed from a clevis and a link, wherein the clevis has a pair of mutually orthogonal eyelets at its open end and the link is adapted to be placed first over the eyelet out of the plane of the clevis and then over the eyelet in that plane. A padlock may be positioned with its shackle through the second eyelet to secure the clevis and link in locked engagement with one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to locking devices used to restrict movementfor security purposes, and is directly related to a lock constructionsecured by a padlock or the like. The locking device of the presentinvention is particularly useful for securing a bicycle or the like to astationary object.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In general, bicycle locks have served as more of a moral deterrent totheft than as an actual security device for effectively immobilizing thelocked bicycle. Many could be easily broken in a matter of secondswithout the use of special tools. Thus, only the "casual" thief orbicycle "joyrider" would be deterred. Determined thieves could oftenswiftly solve these locks while attracting little, if any, attention tothemselves.

Bicycle locks which have served to substantially protect a bicycle frommore determined attacks with more specialized burglary equipment, whileeffective in varying degrees are often prohibitively expensive and/orheavy. While cost may not be a controlling factor to a bicycleenthusiast, one of the most important factors serious cyclists consideris the weight of their bicycles. However, since lighter bikes generallyare more expensive, a cyclist who pays more for a lightweight bicyclecould lose this advantage by carrying a durable, effective heavy lockwith him to protect his investment.

Another disadvantage of many bicycle locks is the bulkiness in designand difficulty in handling. Substantial and lengthy chains often used toform part of these locks often must be wrapped around the bicycle framewhen not in use. Other locks utilize wide bands of metal which alsooften prove to be cumbersome and difficult to store when not in use.

Further, many bicycle locks are not designed to fasten the bicycle to astationary object, but are only adapted for locking one part of thebicycle to another. These locks do nothing to prevent a thief frommerely picking up the whole bicycle and stealing not only the bicyclebut also the lock designed to protect it. An example of this type oflocking device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,757.

Despite the disadvantages of known locks, they have been successful inthe market place because of the great need for a cyclist to protect hisinvestment.

The locking device of the present invention serves to minimize theproblems cyclists have in providing security for their bicycles, withoutbeing cumbersome to store and without adding greatly to the weight ofthe bicycle. The locking device is made of a clevis and a link which,when used in conjunction with a padlock or the like, forms a simple yeteffective means to immobilize a bicycle, the device being impervious toall but the most time-consuming attacks involving special tools. Theinvention may be constructed of relatively lightweight materials and isrelatively easy to store on the bicycle when not in use. The devicereadily permits securing of the bicycle to a stationary object and is soused in its preferred form. However, where necessary, the device is alsoeffective for securing various parts of the bicycle to one another forimmobilizing it when a suitable stationary object is not readilyavailable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a locking device having memberswhich are secured in locking engagement with one another by a standardpadlock or the like for securing a bicycle to a stationary object or, inthe alternative, for effectively immobilizing a bicycle by securing itsvarious parts to one another. Of course, it will be understood that thelocking device is equally useful for securing and immobilizing manyvehicles in addition to a bicycle and this disclosure is made keepingthis expanded use in mind.

The locking device comprises a substantially U-shaped clevis adapted forreceiving parts of the bicycle and where desirable, a stationary object,and a link which closes the open end of the clevis. Both the clevis andthe link are constructed of rigid material as, for example, casehardened steel.

The U-shaped clevis has an integral eyelet formed at each end, with oneeyelet disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of theclevis, and the other eyelet disposed substantially in the plane of theclevis. The link is adapted to receive the first eyelet, and then berotated about the clevis leg and placed over the second eyelet which isdisposed in the plane of the clevis and therefore, is orthogonal to thefirst eyelet. A padlock can then be placed through this second eyeletfor firmly securing the link and clevis in locked engagement with oneanother.

In the preferred embodiment, the two legs of the clevis are of differentlength, the eyelet perpendicular to the plane of the clevis being anintegral part of the longer leg. This minimizes the size of the linkrequired to fit over the eyelets and close the clevis, thus reducing thepossible shifting of the link during use without detracting from thesecurity of the lock.

The locking device is simple and easy to manufacture, yet provides aneffective means for securing a bicycle while addiing relatively littleweight to the load carried by the cyclist when the locking device isstored. The device readily permits the bicycle to be locked to astationary object, such as a bike rack or post. When a stationary objectis not readily available, the locking device may be used to effectivelyimmobilize the bicycle by securing its various parts to one another. Thedevice is simple to use, easy to store on the bicycle and, when stored,does not greatly detract from the bicycle's appearance or add to thebicycle's weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the components of a locking deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the device of FIG. 1 with the componentsshown in an assembled, locked condition.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the device as used to secure the bicycle toa stationary object.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the device as used to immobilize thebicycle by securing its various parts to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the substantially U-shapedrigid clevis 10, preferably formed of a single piece of bar stock andhaving a first leg 12 and second leg 14 and a pair of mutuallyorthogonal eyelets 16 and 18 integral with the legs at the open end ofthe clevis. As shown, eyelet 16 is a continuation of the first leg 12and is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane defined by thelegs of the U-shaped clevis. Eyelet 18 is a continuation of the secondleg 14 and is disposed in the plane defined by the legs of the clevis.

The rigid link 20 is used with the U-shaped clevis 10 and is placed overthe eyelets 16 and 18 to close the open end of the clevis. In thepreferred embodiment, the leg 12 is somewhat longer than the leg 14, byan amount approximately equal to twice the diameter of the bar stockfrom which the U-shaped clevis is constructed. This minimizes the lengthrequired of link 20 in order to enable it to freely pass over the secondeyelet 18. Preferably, the diameter of each eyelet is approximatelythree times the diameter of the bar stock. Thus, if leg 12 is longerthan leg 14 by a distance at least 11/2 times the diameter of the barstock, the end point 13 of the first leg 12 is directly opposite thewidest part "Q" of the eyelet 18. When the link 20 is placed over eyelet16, the link 20 may be readily rotated around leg 12 about point 13 andover eyelet 18 while utilizing the shortest distance between the leg 12and the eyelet 18. Therefore, the link 20 can be the shortest possiblelength for a particular clevis 10.

In the preferred embodiment, link 20 is also constructed of the rigidbar stock used for clevis 10. There is no need for welding the two ends22 and 24 together, although this may be done if desired. It should, ofcourse, be understood that while the link is shown as an "O" shaped loopother configurations may be used without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention.

The link and clevis components are shown in assembled, lockedrelationship in FIG. 2, wherein link 20 is positioned over the eyelets16 and 18 and on the legs 12 and 14 of the clevis 10. A common padlock26 is employed to maintain the clevis and link in locked engagement bypositioning its shackle 28 through the eyelet 18. The shackle of thepadlock locks the link member 20 on leg 14, whereas the link is heldfirmly on leg 12 solely by the eyelet 16. By disposing eyelet 16 in aplane orthogonal to the plane of clevis legs, the need for a hinge,sliding bar, receptacle or other weak joint has been eliminated.

By way of example, an effective bicycle lock according to the presentinvention may be manufactured to the following specifications, which areincluded herein only for purposes of illustration. The clevis and linkcomponents may be 1040 case hardened steel, round-stock, one-half inchdiameter, and use of this material will keep the overall weight of thelock in the range of two and one-half pounds. The curved end 30 of theclevis is defined by a radius of 11/4 inches, which is large enough tosuccessfully employ the invention and avoid metal stress which wouldweaken the invention, yet small enough to be easily stored and carriedon the bicycle. The eyelets 16 and 18 are formed in a free flow mannerfrom the legs 12 and 14 and have an external diameter of 11/2 inches.The short leg 14 extends 10 inches from the end of the curved end 30 tothe second eyelet 18, whereas the long leg 12 extends 11 inches. Thelink 20 is of the same bar stock as the clevis and defines a slot whichis 41/8 inches by 9/16 inches. These dimensions of the slot permit easyuse of the invention while minimizing the slack between the link 20 onthe clevis 10 when the device is locked.

In FIG. 3 the locking device of the invention is shown used toeffectively secure a bicycle 40 by restricting the movement of the rearwheel 42 of the bicycle relative to the frame 44 and in addition, bysecuring the bicycle 40 to a stationary object such as, by way ofexample, the post 50.

In FIG. 4, the locking device is shown used to effectively immobilizethe bicycle 40 by placing clevis 10 through the rear wheel 42, frame 44and front wheel 46 of the bicycle.

Although not related to function, it should be noted that any of theabove embodiments can easily be coated with a rubberized or plasticizedcovering to reduce noise and prevent scratching of the locked member.Further, it will be understood that the invention is not limited tolocking only bicycles or motorcycles. However, bicycles are the mostuseful application of the invention.

While certain features and embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in detail herein, it should be understood alternatives andmodifications may be employed without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle lock comprising:a. a one piece, rigid, clevis having two legs meeting in a U-shaped curve, the first leg having a first eyelet integral therewith and disposed in a plane intersecting the plane defined by the said legs, and the second leg having a second eyelet integral therewith and disposed in the said plane defined by the said legs; b. a one piece, rigid, closed link adapted to fit over the eyelets and around the clevis for closing the open end of the clevis, and c. means passing through the second eyelet for securing the link on the second leg of the clevis, wherein the link is secured on the clevis by the first eyelet and the said means.
 2. The bicycle lock according to claim 1, wherein the first leg is of greater length than the second leg.
 3. The bicycle lock according to claim 1, wherein the two eyelets are mutually orthogonal.
 4. The bicycle lock according to claim 1; wherein the link and clevis are constructed of case hardened steel bar stock.
 5. The bicycle lock according to claim 1, wherein the rigid link forms a substantially closed loop.
 6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the clevis and link are constructed of bar stock of cylindrical cross-section, wherein the eyelets are of an outside diameter equal to approximately three times the diameter of the bar stock and wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by approximately 11/2 times the diameter of the bar stock.
 7. A bicycle lock comprising:a. a one piece, rigid, clevis having two legs meeting in a U-shaped curve, the first leg having a first member integral therewith and disposed in a plane intersecting the plane defined by the said legs, and the second leg having a second member integral therewith and disposed in the said plane defined by the same legs; b. a one piece, rigid, closed link adapted to fit over the members and around the clevis for closing the open end of the clevis, and c. means releasably secured to the second member for securing the link on the second leg of the clevis, wherein the link is secured on the clevis by the first member and the said means. 